Trout to skip World Baseball Classic

Mike Trout will not play in the World Baseball Classic, instead focusing on what he hopes will be a normal spring training with the Angels, agent Craig Landis confirmed Saturday.

In 2011, Trout had little chance to make the team, and last year he was hampered by shoulder tendinitis and a virus that caused him to lose 20 pounds. Trout ended up starting last year at Triple-A.

This year Trout will come to camp with a job solidly in his pocket after a breakthrough season in which he was a unanimous selection for Rookie of the Year and the runner-up in the MVP race.

Trout would have been an obvious choice for Team USA if he hadn't opted out because of how the WBC would have interrupted his spring training with the Angels.

The Angels' position players are due to report for physicals Feb. 14, with their first workout the following day. The first exhibition game is Feb. 23. Team USA is scheduled to start WBC play on March 8 in Phoenix. The tournament does not end until March 19.